Bethel University introduces seven new academic majors

Bethel University has launched seven new undergraduate majors, all of which are now open for enrollment. The majors were developed in response to the current and growing needs of the region’s workforce to ensure that the university’s students are prepared to enter into a competitive job market following their graduation.

According to an article on Bethel University’s website, university president Perry Moulds was quoted as saying of the new majors, "Bethel exists to prepare students for lives of purpose, and that means staying ahead of where the world is headed. These seven programs reflect our commitment to giving students the tools, the training and the character to lead in fields that are shaping our future."

The new undergraduate majors are Artificial Intelligence, Biology Business , Cybersecurity, Human Resource Management, Forensic Investigation, Forensic Science, and Neuroscience. The university already had a strong foundation of courses in biology, business, information technology, and criminal justice, and the new offerings reflect that foundation and give students the ability to become further prepared for careers in those areas.

The university is committed to creating more opportunity for its students, and these new programs will help students enter into the next step of their journey after graduation, whether it be a job in their chosen field or graduate school. 

Provost Joseph R. Hames said, "These programs reflect where our students' interests and the job market are headed. Each one is built on real, hands-on training so graduates leave ready to contribute from day one."

According to the program pages for the new academic majors, the Artificial Intelligence major prepares students to “learn to program, design and manage databases, analyze and visualize real-world data, and reason through the ethics and governance that responsible AI demands, all grounded in a solid understanding of how technology serves an organization.” Students will learn databases, programming logic and skills, an understanding of artificial intelligence concepts, artificial intelligence ethics, and an understanding of the societal impact of AI. 

The Biology Business major combines “a full biology degree with a core business education, preparing you for the fast-growing space where science meets commerce, from biotechnology and pharmaceuticals to laboratory management, medical sales, and science-driven entrepreneurship.” Students will learn microbiology, chemistry, ecological systems, human anatomy, marketing skills, financial literacy, business law, and management fundamentals.

The Cybersecurity major prepares students to “defend systems, networks, and data against real threats, combining a strong technical foundation with hands-on training in the offensive and defensive skills the field requires.” Students will learn programming, networking, server administration, how to investigate cybercrimes, risk assessment, data ethics, governance, and responsible data practices.

The Forensic Investigation major prepares students to “document crime scenes, recognize and preserve evidence, and carry a case from the initial report through the courtroom, blending forensic science with criminal investigation and the behavioral sciences.” Students will learn crime scene investigation skills, the relationship between science and the law, human anatomy, forensic osteology, and the social and psychological aspects of crime.

The Forensic Science major is a “rigorous, science-heavy major for students who want to solve problems that matter using the tools of the laboratory.” Students will learn biochemistry, forensic science, microbiology, genetics, and how to prepare evidence for a courtroom.

The Human Resource Management major pairs “a solid business foundation with focused training in the core areas of HR: staffing, compensation, training, employment law, and workplace safety.” Students will learn organizational behavior, business law, labor laws, business ethics, organizational theory, and strategic thinking.

The Neuroscience major is an “interdisciplinary major that combines biology, chemistry, and psychology to explore how neurons, systems, and behavior connect. It is built for students fascinated by how the mind and body work at the deepest level.” Students will learn clinical neuropathology, cell structure and function, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and the neural basis of cognition, behavior, learning, and experience.

For more information about Bethel University, visit the school’s website.